A given 3 ton system yearly operating expense in one part of the country is:

13 SEER = $805.00

14 SEER = $747.50

16 SEER = $632.50

The intangibles are. If it's a 2 speed system what is the SEER rating when it's running only on the 1st stage most of the time. (They don't tell you.. I would think it's in the 20's for SEER..) Also if it's over 100 degrees the 16 SEER is really not going to have any trouble dissipating heat.